Dual Credit Introduction

The CFB Dual Credit program, in conjunction with Dallas College, offers qualified high school students an opportunity to earn free college credit while completing high school graduation requirements. Students and their families can use this guide with concise and easy-to-access policies and procedures to apply for and enroll in Dual Credit courses. 

Introduction and Purpose: 

Students can gain real-world experience and further their post-secondary goals by enrolling in Dual Credit. Students can 

• Access rigorous coursework and 

• Receive equitable post-secondary opportunities. 

• save money by earning college credits while in high school.

• learn about and prepare for careers with Industry-based classes 

• earn certificates.

The Dual Credit program will:

• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and guidance established by federal and state laws, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and the CFBISD Board of Trustees. 

• Open and maintain open lines of communication with students, families, partners, and district personnel. 

  • Share information

  • Facilitate resolution of students’ needs

  • Support teachers, counselors, facilitators, and administrators

Colleges and CFBISD have a Memorandum of Understanding 

The Memorandum of Understanding between the District and the institutes of higher learning is reviewed and approved by the CFBISD school board annually. They review data on the District's progress or enrollment in advanced courses, disaggregated by race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. 

The MOUs are available upon request. 

Please email Dr. Schackmann at SchackmannR@cfbisd.edu and reference the year and the campus where the student enrolled. 

The Dual Credit Coordinator, Dr. Ruth Schackmann, ensures that the dual credit programs comply with accreditation standards and are responsive to changing technologies and advances in delivering courses. She is the liaison between high schools and postsecondary institutions by working with higher education partners during students' courses to support students. Don't hesitate to contact the campus to connect with her at SchackmannR@cfbisd.edu. 

Hello. I’m Ruth Schackmann, and I serve as the Dual Credit Coordinator. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature with a minor in Biology from Hardin-Simmons University. I hold a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Abilene Christian University. I have a graduate-level Conflict Resolution and Mediation certificate from the Duncum Center. My doctorate in Organizational Leadership is from Abilene Christian. My dissertation, “A Study of the Association of Teacher Efficacy and Students' Achievement in a North Texas School District,” was published on the ACU Digital Commons. 

I have worked in CFB since 2000. When I started in 2000, I taught English and Reading at Vivian Field Middle School. In 2017, I moved to Creekview and taught English II, III, and IV, Reading, Dyslexia, and HB4545. 

My husband and I lived in Carrollton, We have two grown sons. The oldest is in the Army and lives abroad with his family. The youngest lives here and teaches Biology in a local high school. I enjoy being home with my family, cooking, and being in our backyard gazebo in the evenings. I organize things to relax and often follow Instagram rabbit trails to unwind. 

How Students and Families can use the Dual Credit Guide: 

The Dual Credit guide provides for the convenience of parents and students 

• enrolling in grades 9-12 
• who wish to enroll in dual credit courses 
• who have completed coursework for the 9th grade and 
• meet the prerequisites. 
• want to advance their academic learning and obtain college credit.

To receive the high school credit for a dual credit course, students select courses listed in the High School Planning Guide as arranged by the school district and the college’s mutual agreement. Students who take courses outside this list may not earn high school credit because the courses are not approved for high school credit. The entire list is in the High School Planning Guide. 

First Steps: 

Students should consult their high school counselor to discuss whether the dual credit courses they would like to take fit with their high school and college plans. Students can use the Course listings in the High School Planning Guide to choose the Dual Credit courses they want 

Caution: To receive the high school credit for a dual credit course, the course must be on the school district and college’s mutual agreement. Students who take courses outside this list may not earn high school credit because the courses are not approved for high school credit. 

Cautions:

Students should be aware that dual credit courses are recorded on their college transcripts and that failing or earning low grades in the college course can affect the student’s college GPA.  Dual credit students who do not make adequate progress may risk starting college on academic probation due to the grades in their college courses. College credits earned through dual credit are transferable based on institutional policy, and students should check with the colleges to which they are applying regarding dual credit transfer requirements.

Parent/Student Advanced Course Offerings Review

	AP	Dual Credit	OnRamps
Enrollment Type	High school enrollment	Enrolled in a college course for HS credit – grade earned in a college class is equivalent to what is posted on the transcript	Concurrent enrollment – enrolled in both an HS course and a college course can receive a different grade in each course
Instruction Type	CFB teacher	College professor or CFB teacher	CFB teacher
Delivery	During the school day	School day, Night, or online	During the school day
HS Credit	Based on grades in HS class	Based on grades in College class	Based on grades in HS
College Credit	Earned based on the score on the end-of-year exam	Earned with a grade of C or better in the course	Earned with a grade of D or better in the college-submitted course with an option to accept the credit or not
Credit Awarded	The college determines the amount of credit awarded based on the score on the AP Exam	Accepted at all public colleges in the state of Texas	Depending on the course accepted at all public colleges in the state of Texas (Geology)
GPA	+9	Neutral - Counts on HS transcript at ECHS only	+9
Student Benefit	Increased GPA points for rigorous course Exposure to college-level curriculum in HS Possibility to earn college credit based on AP exam score	No out-of-pocket student fee Earn college credit for HS requirements Earning a grade of C or better guarantees both high school and college credit Guaranteed acceptance of credit at all public universities in Texas Wide selection of course offerings Possible TSIA waiver depending on the course taken	HS grade determined by CFB teacher Option to accept college credit or not Passing college grades earns transferable credit Guaranteed transfer of accepted credit at all public universities in Texas
Student Considerations	High-stakes test to earn credit Cost of exam Offering may be based on campus attending	May require dual credit ready score for enrollment  Course grade permanent on a college transcript Failing grade could result in collegiate academic probation and possible impact on financial aid	Cost of course Limited offerings Offerings may be based on campus attending

Please Review YouTube Video for more information

High School Advanced Course Offerings Overview

	AP	Dual Credit	OnRamps
Enrollment	High school enrollment through course selection	High school enrollment through course selection Completion of enrollment at Dallas College May require Dual credit TSIA documentation	High school enrollment through course selection If a passing grade is not earned in 1st semester, it may require a qualifying TSIA2 or SAT score to participate in college enrollment 2nd the semester
Instruction Type	CFB teacher	College professor or CFB teacher	CFB teacher
Teacher Requirements	AP Summer Institute (?)	18 hours of master levels credit in the subject taught	OnRamps Summer training
College Credit	Earned based on the score on the end of year exam Usually three or better	Earned with a grade of C or better in the course	Earned with a grade of D or better in the college-submitted course with an option to accept the credit or not
GPA	+9	Neutral - Counts on HS transcript at ECHS only	+9
HS Transcript	The grade earned shows on a transcript	Counts as a numeric grade	The grade earned in CFB portion on the transcript
CCMR Impact	Students who earn a three or better on the AP exam earn the CCMR indicator AP exams or classes do not meet the TSI college-ready standard	Students who take and pass one math class or 1 English class earn the CCMR indicator and can earn a TSIA waiver Students who earn 9 hours of dual credit (3 classes) earn the CCMR indicator	Students who are eligible to earn credit earn the CCMR indicator
Student Impact	Please review student benefits and considerations on the previous page